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Longview-Kelso, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Longview-Kelso, WA

In the Longview-Kelso, WA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $37,300 ($17.93/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,800/year and the 90th was $47,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,151 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,300$17.93 per hour · $3,108 monthly
10th Percentile$31,800$15.29/hr base
25th Percentile$32,700$15.72/hr base
75th Percentile$43,200$20.77/hr base
90th Percentile$47,200$22.69/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $37,000 a year leaves after tax in WashingtonFederal tax, FICA and Washington withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $37,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $37,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Washington publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Washington.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$37,300
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,300
Net 86%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,151After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,679Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,237Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,296 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,853 / yr
Customize deductions in full Washington calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Longview-Kelso, WA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Longview-Kelso, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$15.29/hr$2,650$31,800$27,731
25th Percentile$15.72/hr$2,725$32,700$28,454
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$32,151
75th Percentile$20.77/hr$3,600$43,200$36,891
90th Percentile$22.69/hr$3,933$47,200$40,105

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Longview-Kelso, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$76,531Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.52.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.7%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Washington:

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Washington metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Longview-Kelso, WA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Longview-Kelso, WA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Longview-Kelso, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Longview-Kelso, WA is $37,300, which equates to approximately $3,108 per month or $17.93 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Longview-Kelso, WA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Longview-Kelso, WA is $17.93 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.29/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.69/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Longview-Kelso, WA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Longview-Kelso, WA span from $31,800 at the 10th percentile to $32,700 at the 25th, $43,200 at the 75th, and $47,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Longview-Kelso, WA?

On a median gross salary of $37,300, an estimated $32,151 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,237 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,149 (an effective rate of 13.8%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Longview-Kelso, WA?

On the median annual salary of $37,300, gross monthly income is $3,108. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,679 per month (or $1,237 every two weeks).

Is $37,300 a good salary in Longview-Kelso, WA?

At $37,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 48.7% of the Longview-Kelso, WA median household income ($76,531). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.5, making regional consumer goods and services 2.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.